All Chapters of ONE More Time to make it right: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Carson stood outside the dining room and took a big breath. Inside, his family and the Thompsons were talking excitedly about the wedding. His heart was beating so fast that he thought it might jump out of his chest. His hands were shaking."You can do this," he told himself quickly. "You have to do this."He opened the door and went inside. Everyone in the room stopped talking and looked at him.His mom gave him a smile. "Hey there, sweetheart! The last thing we talked about was—"Carson spoke up: "I have something to say." Even though his voice was shaking, he kept going. "I... I can't marry Margaret."The room was filled with noise. Everyone spoke at the same time.His dad yelled, "What do you mean?"His sister told him, "Carson, this isn't funny."It looked like Mrs. Thompson was going to pass out.Carson put his hands up. "Please, let me explain."The room slowly became quiet again. Everyone was looking at him."I'm really sorry," Carson said. "I understand how shocking this is.

"Come on, Charlie. Open up for mummy"Alice said, making swooping noises as she guided a small spoon of mashed banana towards her son's mouth.Charlie, now eight months old, giggled and clapped his chubby hands, his big blue eyes - so much like Carson's - twinkling with delight. He opened his mouth wide, accepting the spoonful of banana with a happy smile."That's my good boy," Alice smiled, wiping a bit of banana from Charlie's chin. "You're getting so big!"Baby toys were scattered across the floor, and a pile of job applications littered on the coffee table. It wasn't much, but it was alot.Alice glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. She had a busy day ahead - looking at daycares, job hunting, and somehow managing to keep Charlie fed, changed, and happy through it all. Being a single mom wasn't easy, but looking at Charlie's smiling face, she knew it was worth every challenge."Alright, little man," Alice said, lifting Charlie out of his high chair. "Let's get you cleaned up

Carson lay in the unfamiliar hotel bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was dark, but the glow from the street lights outside seeped through the thin curtains, casting strange shadows on the walls. He'd been trying to sleep for hours, but his mind wouldn't quiet down.He turned to look at the digital clock on the bedside table. 11:47 PM. Carson sighed. It was going to be a long night.Sitting up, he switched on the lamp. The sudden light made him squint. The room came into focus - a small, tidy space with bland hotel art on the walls and a desk in the corner. His suitcase sat unopened by the door, a reminder that he was far from home.Carson got up and walked to the window. He pulled back the curtain and looked out at the Manchester night. The city was still alive, even at this late hour. Cars moved along the streets below, their headlights cutting through the darkness. In the distance, he could see the lights of tall buildings, each one a possible home to hundreds of people. Was Ali

Today was the day. He finally had a lead on Alice's whereabouts, thanks to his sister Mia. He couldn't believe his luck when Mia called last night with the news."I found her old address in the staff records," Mia had said, her voice crackling over the phone. "It's from when she worked as a maid for us. 42 Willow Lane, Manchester."Now, as Carson stood in front of the mirror, trying to tame his bedhead, he repeated the address like a mantra. "42 Willow Lane. 42 Willow Lane."He threw on some clothes, not caring if they matched. Who cared about fashion when he was this close to finding Alice and Charlie?The hotel lobby was quiet this early in the morning. Only a sleepy-eyed receptionist and a cleaner pushing a mop bucket were around. Carson nodded to them as he rushed out, the cool morning air hitting his face.He hailed a taxi, an old black cab with a dent in the front fender. The driver, a burly man with a thick gray mustache, turned to Carson with a friendly smile."Where to, guy?"

Back in London, Mr. and Mrs. MacPherson sat in their large, fancy living room. The room was quiet, but their minds were noisy with worry. They hadn't seen Carson in days, and they had no idea where he was or what he was doing."I just don't understand," Mrs. MacPherson said, twisting her pearl necklace nervously. "Why won't he tell us where he is?"Mr. MacPherson sighed, putting down the newspaper he'd been pretending to read. "I don't know, dear. But he's a grown man. We have to trust that he knows what he's doing."Mrs. MacPherson frowned. "But what if he's in trouble? What if he needs our help?"Just then, the phone rang. Mrs. MacPherson jumped up to answer it, hoping it was Carson. Her face fell when she heard Mia's voice instead."Oh, hello Mia," she said, trying not to sound disappointed. "Have you heard from your brother?"In her own apartment, Mia bit her lip. She hated lying to her parents, but she had promised Carson she wouldn't tell anyone where he was."No, Mom, I haven't